Barbara Jean (Boyce) MacKenzie

Barbara Jean (Boyce) MacKenzie NORTHFIELD - Barbara Jean (Boyce) MacKenzie, a former resident of Northfield, passed away at dawn on Oct. 13, 2018, following a brief hospitalization in Ocala, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. Barbara is survived by her husband, John D. "Jack" MacKenzie, of Interlachen, Florida; her daughters Mary (MacKenzie) Florucci, of Barre, Jocelyn (MacKenzie) Ashford, of Williamstown, Theresa (MacKenzie) Stearns, of Northfield, and Rebecca MacKenzie, of Ocala; her sister, Dianne (Boyce) Matheson; her brothers Robert "Bobby" Boyce and Jack Boyce; her stepfather, Donald Ruggles; her stepson, Robert (Greg) Guthrie; her grandchildren Thomas, Cody, Corey, Cicely, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Savannah, Shylah, Colby and Brady; and her great-grandson, Godryck. Barbara was born Jan. 17, 1952, in Randolph, to Henry Boyce and Lois (Erskine) Boyce, who predeceased her; as did her first husband, Calvin Guthrie; three of her siblings Patricia Boyce, James Boyce and Julie (Boyce) Falzarano; and her stepson, Richard Guthrie. She attended high school in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and in Northfield where she and Jack met, married and raised their daughters before moving to Florida in 1996. Barbara attended services at the Roxbury Union Congregational Church, the United Methodist Church in Northfield and The Refuge at First Baptist Citra, in Citra, Florida, where her nephew, Craig Jacobs, is the pastor. Barbara was employed from time to time but considered herself a homemaker first and foremost, as she attended to her large, extended family and served as second mother to many of her four daughters’ friends. She was passionate about her personal relationships and the people she loved. She cherished her time with her children and grandchildren, loved her adult pajama parties at home with her sisters Dianne and Julie, and always welcomed the special times she shared with her dear friends Barb Davis, Stacy Sanders and Marguerite Moore. Barbara especially enjoyed people and nature. She engaged in a wide range of interests and activities, both solitary and social, that included reading, playing cards, fishing, bird-watching, swimming in the ocean and relaxing on the beach, sewing, observing the vibrant colors of fall foliage in the Green Mountains, and sipping a good cup of hot tea. Although medical issues posed a challenge to Barbara for several years, she had a buoyant personality, embraced life and lived it to the fullest. Even on the eve of her sudden and unexpected hospitalization, she was doing what she loved, visiting with her family and enjoying their warmth and companionship. It was a privilege to know Barbara, and she will be missed by all who knew her. A memorial gathering of family and friends, to honor Barbara and celebrate her life, is being planned for spring 2019, and will be announced.

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